You’re now standing in the courtyard of the Manoir de Roncheville, one of Honfleur’s oldest noble residences. In the Middle Ages it belonged to the powerful Bertran family, barons of Roncheville, who also ruled over the town. Their lineage dominated Honfleur until the Hundred Years’ War, when the city was occupied by the English between 1419 and 1450. After liberation, the manor became the residence of the royal governors, key figures charged with defending the port. Among them were Robert de Floques, Jean de Montauban, and most notably Louis de Bourbon, Admiral of France, who rebuilt much of the manor around 1470 under King Louis XI. Over the centuries, its architecture evolved, blending medieval, Renaissance, and classical elements. The manor has been listed as a Historic Monument since the late twentieth century, ensuring its preservation. After the Revolution, it passed through several families before being bought in the 1980s by Simon Chaye, an artist and gallery owner, who lovingly restored it and turned it into an exhibition space. Today, the Manoir occasionally opens its doors for cultural events, especially during the European Heritage Days. If you have the chance, don’t hesitate to step inside.